HBAA Awards
The HBAA recognised best practice in the hotel booking sector last night at the Ramada Manchester Piccadilly Hotel.
The coveted awards were presented by the association’s Chair, Juliet Price, at a dinner attended by over 300 booking agents, hotels & venues and ancillary suppliers. Seven awards were presented:
Best Demonstration of CSR; awarded for a company’s commitment to sustainability through sound environmental practises and clear demonstration that this is embedded in the culture of the business.
Judge: Heather Gibson, editor, EP Business in Hospitality magazine
Winner: ACC Liverpool
Heather Gibson said, “ACC Liverpool demonstrated that over the period of implementing their CSR strategy they had created real engagement with the local community, resulting in a series of incremental changes which had recognisable impact.”
Training & Development Award; demonstration of agents’, hotels’ or venues’ commitment to the training and development of staff at every level of the organisation.
Judge: Yasmin Arrigo, editor, Conference and Incentive Travel magazine
Winner: Malmaison/Hotel du Vin
Yasmin Arrigo commented, “The winner was refreshingly honest about the scale of the challenge and overall goal for the programme, and launched an innovative project that captured the imagination of the teams involved and delivered impressive results.”
Promoting Excellence within the Industry; Awarded to a company delivering excellence to clients by means of a new product or service.
Judge: Mark Lewis, editor, Caterer and Hotelkeeper magazine
Winner: Trinity Conferences
Mark Lewis said, “Excellence in the conferences and meetings industry hinges upon employing people with a single-minded focus upon delighting customers. Trinity Conferences’ achievement of IIP Gold has driven standards of client care, increased both client and staff retention, and led to more effective succession planning.”
Further awards were given including the Agent of the Year award. 2011 saw a new category, Venue of the Year, added to recognise hotels, venues and apartment services that excel in their day to day operation. Both Agent of the Year and Venue of the Year awards were voted for by corporate clients with 2472 votes cast.
Training & Development Award 2011
Malmaison & Hotel du Vin
Promoting Excellence within the Industry Award 2011
Trinity
Best Demonstration of CSR Award 2011
ACC Liverpool
Small Agent of the Year 2011
First Choice Conference and Events
Medium Agent of the Year 2011
Conference Care
Large Agent of the Year 2011
Hotelscene
Venue of the Year 2011
Peckforton Castle
Juliet Price, Chair of the HBAA said: “Congratulations to all of those shortlisted and in particular to the winners. These awards really do recognise the dedication and vigour that we have in raising levels of professionalism in the association and wider sector”.